Whiting: Veterans, museum keep alive warfare's reality

World War II veteran Jack Hammett teaches elementary school students about the conflict during their visit to the Lyon Air Museum in Santa Ana. Hammett is a survivor of the attack on Pearl Harbor. EUGENE GARCIA, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Some say truth is war's first casualty. They're wrong.

Nestled below the massive wingspan of a silver World War II "flying fortress" are three men who have seen things no one should share with a gaggle of school children.

Edward Stapleton, shot down piloting a B-17 like the one that looms above, gazes at the young students.

"Think peace, not war," Stapleton quietly advises. "War is hell."

We are gathered at the Lyon Air Museum, named after William Lyon, the developer and retired Air Force major general. The museum's two-year anniversary is Dec. 10, Monday, and since it opened, tens of thousands of guests have visited – and learned.

Some may think such a place glorifies war, and that veterans get together to glorify their exploits.

But these men with the Freedom Committee of Orange County are here to speak truth, to tell of the horrors of war and to explain why wars are fought.

These are not easy tasks, but they are worthwhile ones.

• • •

Seven World War II era planes, a combat Cessna, a collection of military vehicles and several vintage automobiles and motorcycles are housed in the 30,000-square-foot museum on this day.

It may seem redundant to read "on this day" in a column about a museum that is home to giant and, to children's eyes, ancient artifacts.

But understand that the motorcycles and cars can be driven. The planes can be flown.

Gleaming pans catch oil drops under the B-17. The general likes to keep it real. And so do the veterans.

Stapleton, who retired from the Army Air Force as a first lieutenant, endured the rigors of being a prisoner of war. Modest and pressed for time with four classes circulating through the museum, he doesn't mention that he was awarded the Purple Heart after being a POW at Stalag Luft III.

He also doesn't mention that the POW camp became famous for escapes, one of which was depicted in the movie "The Great Escape," starring Steve McQueen.

World War II veteran Jack Hammett teaches elementary school students about the conflict during their visit to the Lyon Air Museum in Santa Ana. Hammett is a survivor of the attack on Pearl Harbor. EUGENE GARCIA, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
World War II veteran Bill Schultz points to a map of the Pacific conflict as he teaches Kaiser Elementary school students Jasmine Boyer, left, Sibelle Lendeer, Sophia Koop and Jason Gillespie during a school trip to the Lyon Air Museum in Santa Ana. Schultz served stateside in a noncombat role during the war. EUGENE GARCIA, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
Sixth-grader Kai Macartney, right, tries on a World War II-era helmet given to him by veteran Larry Harris during a Kaiser Elementary School trip to the Lyon Air Museum in Santa Ana. Harris served as a flight engineer and on the Manhattan Project during the final days of the war. EUGENE GARCIA, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
World War II veteran Jim Powers, right, holds a P-47 fighter model as he teaches elementary school students with fellow veteran Herbert Guiness at the Lyon Air Museum in Santa Ana. Guiness flew a B-24 bomber, while Powers piloted his P-47 over Europe during the war. EUGENE GARCIA, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
World War II veteran Jim Powers holds a P-47 fighter model as he teaches elementary school students about the conflict at the Lyon Air Museum in Santa Ana. Powers piloted his P-47 over Europe during the war. EUGENE GARCIA, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
World War II veteran Larry Harris shows an Army jeep to elementary school students during their visit to the Lyon Air Museum in Santa Ana. Harris served as a flight engineer and on the Manhattan Project during the final days of the war. EUGENE GARCIA, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
World War II veteran Herbert Guiness (labeled "me") is pictured in this archive photo from his service days. Guiness flew a B-24 bomber over Europe during the war. COURTESY HERBERT GUINESS
World War II veterans Herbert Guiness, left, Jim Powers and George Emerson teach elementary school students about the air battles over Europe at the Lyon Air Museum in Santa Ana. Guiness flew a B-24 bomber and Powers piloted a P-47 fighter; Emerson was shot down and taken as a POW in Germany. EUGENE GARCIA, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
U.S. Air Force veteran Bill Anderson, left, lets elementary school students sound the horn on a vintage bread truck at the Lyon Air Museum in Santa Ana. The sixth-graders spent the day learning about World War II from veterans. EUGENE GARCIA, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

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